Bottle Shock

California wines come of age

by Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Movies

It’s as satisfying as—for those who like it—a fine glass of Chardonnay!

Bottle Shock, set in 1976, is a docudrama about a group of upstart and innovative California vintners who topple France from their position as the world’s top wine producers. Seen through the lives of father and son, Jim and Bo Barrett (played by Bill Pullman and Chris Pine, respectively), Bottle Shock recounts the events leading up to the famous “Judgment of Paris’ tastings.” I’m not a wine drinker, myself, but I love true stories in which the underdog wins. And this is one of those. This film chronicles the early days of Napa Valley and how one man, a British wine connoisseur (played by Alan Rickam) decided to challenge the French wine stronghold—ultimately opening winemaking to the entire world.

Jim Barrett, a former real estate attorney, dreams of creating an extraordinary, hand-crafted chardonnay the likes of which the world has never been seen. Jim sacrifices everything to pursue this dream and to run Chateau Montelena. Unfortunately, his errant son, Bo, would rather slack off than help his father. So Jim’s time is spent working through the differences he has with his son, producing the perfect chardonnay, and fighting off creditors. The movie also stars Freddy Rodriguez and Rachael Taylor, who, luckily, are committed to making Jim’s dream a reality.

Meanwhile in Paris, Steven Spurrier, a snobby British wine shop owner, is having his own business troubles. So he concocts a competition between the established French vintners and the unproven, audacious Californians. Although both are unaware at the time, Steven and Jim are about to irrevocably transform the wine industry.

The light in this movie is golden and warm. The grapes look luscious. And I found myself appreciating winemaking for the first time. At one point Rickman quotes Galileo,”Wine is sunshine, held together with water.” Beautiful. The movie has a soundtrack that’s a combination of haunting and old time rock and roll.

I just loved this movie. It’s as satisfying as—for those who like it—a fine glass of Chardonnay!

 

Last Updated: June 16, 2009

Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Christiane Northrup, M.D., is a visionary pioneer and a leading authority in the field of women’s health and wellness. Recognizing the unity of body, mind, and spirit, she empowers women to trust their inner wisdom, their connection with Source, and their ability to truly flourish.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *